Machine for filling containers with a liquid substance

ABSTRACT

In a machine ( 1 ) for filling containers with a liquid substance, a rotating head ( 2 ) is carried rotatingly by a stationary structure ( 3 ) and a liquid substance delivering chamber ( 4 ) is made inside the rotating head ( 2 ). A plurality of distributors ( 6 ) are arranged along the edge of the rotating head ( 2 ) for delivering the liquid substance to filling nozzles ( 7 ) associated with the rotating head ( 2 ). A basin ( 30 ) is associated to the stationary structure ( 3 ) for collecting a sterilizing liquid introduced into the distributors ( 6 ) and flowing in the nozzles ( 7 ) for sterilizing, by washing, the distributors ( 6 ) and the nozzles ( 7 ). The basin ( 30 ) is closed by a cover ( 32 ), fastened to the rotating head ( 2 ).  
     A plurality of vertical tubes ( 34 ) pass tightly through the cover ( 32 ) and extend inside the basin ( 30 ), so as to be connected to the nozzles ( 7 ) and to the distributors ( 6 ) by flexible pipes ( 25 A,  25 B).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to filling containers, inparticular bottles and the like, with liquid substances.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] In the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry there are knownfilling machines which automatically fill bottles with measuredquantities of liquid substances.

[0003] The above mentioned machines are usually equipped with a rotatinghead, which is carried by a stationary structure. The head rotates on avertical axis. A liquid delivering chamber, fed by a suitable duct, isformed inside the head.

[0004] The rotating head features, arranged along the edge thereof,syringe-like distributors, which deliver the liquid substance tocorresponding filling nozzles, associated with the rotating head bysuitable three-way valves controlling the liquid substance passage.

[0005] The distributors are aimed, in two different moments, at batchingliquid and at feeding the batched liquid to the nozzles.

[0006] The machines for filling bottles must be periodically sterilizedby washing the areas, which are in contact with liquid substances, inparticular after a working cycle is finished and when the liquidsubstance for filling the bottles is to be changed.

[0007] The machine is sterilized by feeding a suitable sterilizingliquid or steam to the distributors and to the nozzles, via the aboveareas being in contact with liquid substances, i.e. the distributingchamber of the rotating head.

[0008] The problem related to the sterilization operation concerns thecollection and disposal of the sterilizing liquid.

[0009] Currently, in order to sterilize, it is necessary to stop themachine and to join thereto a basin, which conveys the sterilizingliquid going out of the areas being sterilized.

[0010] The open-topped collection basin usually includes twosemi-circular portions which are fastened removably to the machine.

[0011] When the sterilization is completed, the collection basin isemptied and removed from the machine.

[0012] Besides obvious hygienic problems and environmental pollutionrisk, the above solution is very expensive, mainly because of operatorlabor.

[0013] Actually, the assembling and disassembling of the basincollecting the sterilizing liquid requires a lot of time, during whichthe machine does not work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The object of the present invention is to solve the above problemby proposing a machine for filling bottles and the like, which allows toperform sterilizing operations in a simple and rapid way.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to propose a machinethe sterilization of which can be performed in an extremely efficientway, in absolutely hygienic conditions and without causing environmentpollution.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to propose amachine, in which sterilization operations require a reduced use ofoperators labor.

[0017] A still further object of the present invention is to propose amachine the construction of which is very simple and which is functionaland versatile.

[0018] The above mentioned objects are obtained in accordance with thecontents of the claims, by a machine for filling containers with aliquid substance, the machine including:

[0019] a rotating head carried rotatingly by a stationary structure;

[0020] a liquid substance delivering chamber made inside said a rotatinghead;

[0021] at least one distributor arranged along the edge of said rotatinghead for delivering the liquid substance;

[0022] at least one filling nozzle associated with said rotating headand connected with said distributor;

[0023] the machine being characterized in that it includes:

[0024] container means associated to said stationary structure forcollecting a sterilizing liquid introduced into said distributor andflowing in the corresponding filling nozzle;

[0025] covering means applicable to said container means for closingtightly said container means;

[0026] conveying means for conveying said sterilizing liquid substance,said conveying means being connected to said covering means andassociated to said nozzle and to said distributor for connecting tightlysaid nozzle and said distributor with said container means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The characteristic features of the present invention will bepointed out in the following description of a preferred, but not onlyembodiment, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0028]FIG. 1 shows a schematic vertical section view of a preferredembodiment of the proposed machine for filling bottles and the like withliquid substances;

[0029]FIGS. 2a, 2 b and 2 c show vertical section views of adistributing device of the filling machine, in different operationsteps;

[0030]FIG. 3 shows a vertical section view of a nozzle of the fillingmachine;

[0031]FIG. 4 shows a connection of the distributing device of FIG. 3 andthe nozzle to a basin, associated to the machine for collecting thesterilizing liquid;

[0032]FIGS. 5a and 5 b show vertical section views of the abovesterilizing liquid collecting basin, in an opening and closing position,respectively.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0033] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 1indicates the machine for filling bottles with a liquid substance.

[0034] The machine 1 includes a head 2 rotating on a vertical axis, Thehead 2 is carried by a stationary structure 3 forming the machine base.

[0035] Inside the rotating head 2 there is formed a liquid substancedelivering chamber 4. A duct 5 feeds the chamber 4 with the liquidsubstance.

[0036] Along its edge, the rotating head 2 features a plurality ofsyringe-like distributors 6 which deliver the liquid substance tocorresponding filling nozzles 7 (FIG. 3) mounted to the rotating head,via suitable three-way valves 17 for controlling the liquid substanceflow.

[0037] The syringe-like distributors 6 include a cylindrical sleeve 8,in which a piston 9 slides.

[0038] The upper part of the sleeve 8 features a hole 10, through whichthe liquid substance is delivered (FIG. 2a).

[0039] The lower part of the cylindrical sleeve 8 features a ring-likearea 18 with widened diameter, in correspondence of which there is madeat least one discharge hole 11.

[0040] The discharge hole 11 communicates with a duct 12 formed in a cap13 covering the base of the cylindrical sleeve 8.

[0041] The stem 19 of the piston 9 passes axially and tightly throughthe cap 13.

[0042] Under the cylindrical sleeve 8, the cap 13 defines a chamber 14.The bottom of the chamber 14 communicates with the duct 12 through adischarge hole 16.

[0043] A connecting element 160 is fastened to the end of the duct 12(FIGS. 2a, 2 b and 2 c).

[0044] The top of each nozzle 7 communicates with a corresponding valvemeans 17 (see FIG. 1.

[0045] The nozzle 7 is introduced into a collar 21, in coaxial relationtherewith.

[0046] The lower part of the collar 21 is closed and the upper partthereof is fastened tightly to the rotating head.

[0047] The collar 21 is introduced into an outer tubular sheath 22,fastened tightly to the collar 21 and equipped, in its lower part, witha joint 26.

[0048] The upper part of the collar 21 features a series of holes 23,and the lower part of the collar 21 features a hole 24 of smalldiameter, which allows to drain possible accumulated condensed liquid(FIG. 3).

[0049] The holes 23 connect a first cylindrical space I1, definedbetween the outer cylindrical edge surface SP of the nozzle 7 and thecollar 21, with a second cylindrical space I2 between the collar 21 andthe tubular sheath 22.

[0050] Substantially, the collar 21 (and the relative lower hole 24 andthe upper hole 23) together with the tubular sheath 22 (with therelative joint 26) form a device 50, which allows to sterilize thenozzle 7 by washing, during the stops for maintenance operation of themachine 1.

[0051] In particular, the inner channel as well as the outer cylindricaledge surface of the nozzle 7 are washed with a suitable sterilizingliquid introduced into the distributor 6 and going out from the nozzle 7and flowing along the above first cylindrical space I1 and secondcylindrical space I2, as will be explained later on.

[0052] A substantially ring-like basin 30 for collecting the sterilizingliquid, is associated to the stationary structure 3 and connected to adischarge channel 31 (see FIGS. 5a, 5 b).

[0053] The basin 30 can be closed by closing means 100 including a cover32, fastened to the rotating head 2 and equipped with a sealing plate33.

[0054] A plurality of vertical tubes 34 pass tightly through the cover32 and extend inside the basin 30, in correspondence to the abovementioned distributors 6 and sterilizing devices 50, to which they areconnected by flexible pipes 25A, 25B (FIG. 4).

[0055] At their tops, the vertical tubes 34 feature respective joints36, which are to be connected to the above flexible pipes 25A, 25B andare closed during the production cycle by relative plugs 35.

[0056] The basin 30 is operated, by suitable operating means, not shown,to move vertically (arrow X in FIG. 5b) between a lowered openingposition A (FIG. 5a) and a raised closing position C (FIG. 5b), in whichit goes in abutment against the seal 33.

[0057] During normal operation conditions, the basin 30 is situated inthe lowered position A, so as to avoid rubbing of the seal 33, rotatedtogether with the rotating head 2, on the basin 30.

[0058] When the sterilization is to be performed by washing of themachine 1, during normal machine 1 maintenance operations, the basin 30is moved to the raised closing position C, in which it goes in abutmentagainst the seal 33.

[0059] Moreover, it is necessary to join each nozzle 7 with the relativesterilization device 50, in a way as described above.

[0060] Finally, the vertical tubes 34 are connected to the distributors6 and sterilization devices 50 by the flexible pipes 25A, 25B (FIG. 4),which feature joints, which are complementary to the joints 160, 26, 36of the distributors 6, of the sterilization devices 50 and of thecovering means 100.

[0061] In this configuration, the sterilization is performed by feedinga suitable sterilizing liquid to the areas in contact with liquidsubstances, i.e. the delivering chamber 4 of the rotating head 2, thedistributors 6 and the nozzles 7.

[0062] The sterilizing liquid is sucked into the distributors 6 by themotion of the piston 9, which moves, starting from the top dead center(FIG. 2a).

[0063] The piston 9 is imposed a stroke, whose amplitude is bigger thanthe maximum amplitude of the stroke in normal operation condition,indicated with broken line 9 a in FIG. 2b, so as to uncover thering-like area 18, having widened diameter, of the cylindrical sleeve 8,which thus gets in contact with the sterilizing liquid.

[0064] During the subsequent upwards stroke of the piston 9, thesterilizing liquid is pumped through the hole 10 and the sterilizingliquid which filled the area 18, goes down along the cylindrical sleeve8 up to the chamber 14 of the cap 13.

[0065] Thus, the whole cylindrical sleeve 8 is in contact with thesterilizing liquid.

[0066] The sterilizing liquid, pumped by the distributors 6, flows intothe nozzles 7, from which it goes out, so as to go upwards through thefirst cylindrical space I1 and, to go down again by the upper holes 23and through the second cylindrical space I2, so as to be conveyed to thebasin 30 by the relative pipe 25B, according to a continuous feedingflow of the sterilizing liquid.

[0067] Finally, the sterilizing liquid collected in the basin 30 isdischarged through the discharge channel 31.

[0068] Therefore, the proposed machine allows a simple and rapidsterilization operation by washing.

[0069] Actually, in order to perform the sterilization step, it issufficient, when the machine 1 is stopped, to connect each nozzle 7 withthe relative sterilizing device 50, to close the collecting basin 30,fastened to the structure of the machine and to connect, by the flexiblepipes 25A, 25B, the distributors 6 and the tubular elements with thejoints 36 of the basin cover 32.

[0070] This causes a reduced external time and minimal use of manpower,which results in costs reduction and productivity increase.

[0071] The sterilization performed by the proposed machine takes placein absolutely hygienic conditions and without causing environmentpollution.

[0072] It is understood that what above, has been described as a pure,not limitative example, therefore, possible variants of the inventionremain within the protective scope of the present technical solution, asdescribed above and claimed hereinafter.

1. A machine (1) for filling containers with a liquid substance, themachine including: a rotating head (2) carried rotatingly by astationary structure (3); a liquid substance delivering chamber (4) madeinside said a rotating head (2); at least one distributor (6) arrangedalong the edge of said rotating head (2) for delivering the liquidsubstance; at least one filling nozzle (7) associated with said rotatinghead (2) and connected with said distributor (6); the machine beingcharacterized in that it includes: container means (30) associated tosaid stationary structure (3) for collecting a sterilizing liquidintroduced into said distributor (6) and flowing in the correspondingfilling nozzle (7); covering means (100) applicable to said containermeans (30) for closing tightly said container means (30); conveyingmeans (34,25A,25B) for conveying said sterilizing liquid substance, saidconveying means being connected to said covering means (100) andassociated to said nozzle (7) and to said distributor (6) for connectingtightly said nozzle (7) and said distributor (6) with said containermeans (30).
 2. A machine, according to claim 1, wherein said containermeans (30) include: a basin (30) collecting said sterilizing liquidsubstance and said covering means (100) include a cover (32) fastened tosaid rotating head (2); operating means for moving said basin (30)between a lowered opening position (A) and a raised closing position(C), in which it goes in abutment against said cover (32); a seal (33)interposed between said basin and said cover.
 3. A machine, according toclaim 2, wherein said cover (32) is equipped with a seal (33),substantially a plate-like seal engaging edges of said basin (30).
 4. Amachine, according to claim 1, wherein said distributor (6) includes: acylindrical sleeve (8); a piston (9) sliding inside said sleeve (8); aring-like area (18) defined in a lower part of said cylindrical sleeve(8); at least one discharge hole (11) made in said ring-like area (18);a duct (12) connected with said discharge hole (11) and connected tosaid container means (30) by said conveying means (25A).
 5. A machine,according to claim 4, wherein said duct (12) is defined by a cap (13),which incorporates the base of said cylindrical sleeve (8), with a stem(19) of said piston (9) passing axially and tightly through said cap(13), said cap (13) defining, under said cylindrical sleeve (8), achamber (14), set in communication with said duct (12) through adischarge hole (16).
 6. A machine, according to claim 1, furtherincluding a device (50) for washing each of said filling nozzles (7),said device (50) including: a collar (21) with a lower part closed andwith an upper part fastened tightly to said rotating head (2), saidcollar (21) being coupled with the nozzle (7); a first space (I1)defined between the outer cylindrical edge surface (SP) and said collar(21), with a lower part of said first space (I1) communicating with saidnozzle (7); a tubular sheath (22) with an upper part fastened tightly tosaid rotating head (2), said tubular sheath (22) containing said collar(21), said tubular sheath (22) together with said collar (21) defining asecond space (I2) set in communication with said first space (I1) by atleast one through hole (23) made in the upper part of said collar (21);said tubular sheath (22) forming in its lower part a joint (26) forconnecting with said conveying means.
 7. A machine, according to claim6, wherein a hole (24) of small diameter, is made in the lower head ofsaid collar (21), so as to allow to drain possible accumulated condensedliquid.